Door or panel fastener



Feb. 7, 1967 J K, BARRY 3,302,964

DOOR OR PANEL FASTENER Filed Jan. 8. 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l IN V EN TOR.

Jim

Feb 7, 1957 1 K, BARRY 3,392,964

DOOR OR PANEL FASTENER Filed Jan. 8, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent C) 3,302,964 DOOR R PANEL FASTENER John K. Barry, Springfield, Pa., assignor to South Chester Corporation, Lester, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Filed Jau. 8, 1965, Ser. No. 424,441 4 Claims. (Cl. 292-57) This invention relates to door or panel fasteners and, more particularly, to fastening devices of a type adapted to be mounted along the edges of doors or panels which overlap a Wall or frame and having latch fingers which are swingable over the inside frameof the door or panel openings so as to lock the panel against the frame.

This invention constitutes an improvement over the fastener disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2,860,904 by John K. Barry which issued on November 18, 1948, to South Chester Corporation. In that patent, the latch finger or locking pawl was mounted on the actuating shaft by two nuts or by a nut and a spring thereby requiring preliminary adjusting of the locating nuts and locking pawl according to the thickness of the frame upon which the pawl engaged. This fastener also had the disadvantage of requiring three holes to be made in the door or panel to receive the fastener and required mounting from the inside of the panel. Other prior art fasteners require washers to support the fastener from being drawn through the hole in the panel and utilize springs which provide only partial control of the position of the latch finger during locking and unlocking movement of that member.

Therefore, it is the primary object of this invention to provide a fastener having a positive drive for both locking and unlocking the latching pawl and for tightening the pawl against the frame without the use of mere spring pressure.

It is another object of this invention to provide a fastener having the above advantages and including an indicating element which shows from the outside of the panel the radial position of the latch finger, thereby insuring proper and full engagement of the latch on the frame before the latch is tightened.

It is another object of this invention to provide supportmeans at the inner end of the threaded control shaft to prevent jamming of the shaft if some parts bind. The fastener is also shaped so as to minimize the size of the hole in the panel required for inserting the fastener from the front or outside.

Other objects and attendant advantages of this invention will appear from the description included hereinbelow and from the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows in front elevation one form of the fastener of this invention as seen from the front or outside of the panel taken partially;

FIG. 2 shows in side elevation the fastener shown also in FIG. l with the supporting panel in section;

FIG. 3 shows in rear elevation the fastener from the inside or back of the panel;

FIG. 4 shows a sectional View of the fastener taken along the lines and arrows IV-IV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of the fastener before the locking pawl is tightened against the frame;

FIG. 6 shows in sectional view the inner end of the fastener taken along the lines and arrows VI-VI as shown in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 shows in exploded View the disassembled fastener.

The preferred form of the fastener of this invention is utilized basically as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 wherein the fastener is mounted within and through a panel 10 adjacent the edge 10a which overlaps the wall portion or frame 14a. The panel 10, in this instance, has hinges 12 connecting it along the bottom edge to the main wall 14 and the fastener functions by pressing or latching ICC against the inside of the wall portion or frame 14a thus preventing the panel from being pulled outwardly or swung downwardly until the fastener is released. It should be understood that the fastener of this invention can be used singly or a number may be mounted at intervals along the edge of any type of panel or door 10v so as to lock or secure it to the structural member 14 as described hereinbelow.

The preferred form of the fastener of this invention is shown in exploded View in FIG. 7 and it can best be understood by preliminary reference to that figure. The fastener comprises a substantially uniform diameter threaded stud having a fluted knob 22 attached to the stud by pin 23 extending through holes 24 in the knob and stud. A bushing 25, spiral spring 26 and retaining washer 28 are provided as shown for mounting on inner or rear end of stud 20, the inner or rear end being that which is inserted first into the hole in the panel and is thereby iixedly mounted on the inside of the panel. A latch linger or locking pawl 30 is provided with a contact end or surface 32 which is tightened against a frame member and an enlarged base 34 having internal threads 36 which correspond to the threads 21 formed on the shaft 20 as shown. A generally cylindrically shaped housing `bracket 40 is provided with a relatively large diameter threaded portion 42, an outside annular flange 44, and an inner end shaft supporting portion 45 as shown. Housing bracket 40 is also provided with an axial directed recess or opening 48 having an arc which can be varied and in the embodiment shown extends approximately or one-half of the cylindrical surface of bracket 40. An indicator sleeve 50, shaped as shown, is equipped with an exterior indicator knob 52 and a cylindrical portion 54 in which is formed an axial directed guide slot 56 having an arc or width only slightly larger than the thickness of pawl 30 at a point adjacent its base.

The components as described above are assembled to form this invention as follows. Knob 22 is mounted on and then attached to threaded stud 20 by placing pin 23 through the holes 24. Stud 20 is then slipped into indicator sleeve 50 from the outer or right-hand side as shown in FIG. 7 until knob shoulder 22a bears upon outwardly facing annular surface 51 of sleeve 50. The sleeve and stud are then inserted into housing bracket 40 from the outer end or that shown to the right in FIG. 7. Pawl 30 is simultaneously placed in recess 48 of vbracket 40 and threaded onto stud 20 as the stud is pressed inwardly andv rotated by means of knob 22. As pawl 30 is threaded on stud 2t), it passes into and along the guide slot 56 in the indicator sleeve 50. When the indicator sleeve is fully inserted in the housing bracket, rearwardly facing annular surface 53 of sleeve 50 bears firmly against internal annular shoulder 43 of bracket 40 as shown in FIG. 5.

When the shaft and sleeve are fully inserted in the bracket, the inner or distal end of the shaft extends out of hole 45a formed in the end supporting portion 45. Bushing 25 is then slipped over the end of shaft 20 to be positioned between the end of the threads 21 Iand the groove 29.

The spring 26 is then compressed and placed on the bushing y215 (as shown in FIG. 5) between and against the bracket end portion 45 and a retaining washer `28 which is assembled into groove 29 of the shaft.

Assembly of the fastener shown in FIG. 7 is now complete and the thrust of the conical spring 26 against the retaining washer 2S is transmitted through shaft 20 to the knob 22 and hence by means of abutting surfaces 22a and 51 to the indicator sleeve and hence to the housing bracket by abutting surfaces 53 and 43. In this way the fastener parts are held tightly together and sealing gaskets may ybe placed between the abutting surfaces to prevent fluid leaks.

The spring arrangement as described is also desirable so as to cause indicator knob 52 to turn with knob 22 when that knob is turned by hand. This occurs because the moment arm or effective radius of abutting surfaces 51 and 22a of the indicator sleeve and knob, respectively, is greater than the moment arm or effective radius of abutting surfaces 43 and 53 of the housing bracket and indicator sleeve, respectively.

The assembled fastener can then be inserted in a panel or door as follows. Referring to FIG. 5, a hole 1,1 is drilled or punched in panel with a diameter slightly larger than the threads 42 of the housing bracket 40. The hole 11 is preferably located at a determined distance from the supporting member 14a as indicated in FIG. 5 so that upon the vertical positioning of pawl 30 the pawl end portion 32 will overlap the member 14 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. However, if the location of t-he fastener in panel 10 is prescribed by other considerations, a longer or different shaped latching pawl 30 can be substituted for that shown. After hole 11 is drilled, the fastener with pawl 30 located at the inner end of shaft 20 will pass through the hole 11 when it is turned partially upright so that pawl 32 is pushed through the hole rst. A mating nut 60 (FIG. 5) is then slipped over the end of pawl 30 and around the end of the bracket on the inner side of the panelso as finally to thread on the threads 42 of the housing bracket. The fastener isA secured to the panel .10 by flange 44 on the outside and the locking nut 60 tightened on the inside.

Operation After the fastener is installed in a panel, the first quarter revolution of gripping knob 22 will throw the latch ing pawl 30 from the full clear to full latching position or vice versa because of the frictional engagement between the knob and the indicator sleeve whose guide slot 56 controls the rotation of pawl 30 on stud 20. If this frictional engagement is insufficient to move the sleeve, some pressure on indicator sleeve knob 52 will clear the pawl. Further rotation of knob 22 causes the pawl 30 to move axially along the shaft because rotation of the pawl is limited to the arc limits of recess 48 of the housing bracket and the location of indicator sleeve. In this way, latching pawl 30 is moved axially along thread st-ud 20 to press against the frame member 14 from the inside as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 and hold the panel closed. To unlock the fastener and free the panel from frame member 114, the knob is rotated in the direction required to move the pawl inwardly on the shaft. After the pawl is loosened, it is rotated by the spring tension between the knob and indicator sleeve or it may be positively rotated by means of the knob 52. After the pawl is swung clear, -as shown in dot and dash lines in FIG. 6, the panel is swung downwardly or otherwise removed. A multiple lead thread is preferably employed on the stud to cause the pawl to move axially with a minimum number of rotations of knob 22.

It should be clear from the description above that the radial location or direction of latching pawl 30 in relation to stud 20 is continually indicated on the outside of t-he panel by indicating sleeve knob 52. By means of this structure, it is easily determined from the outside whether pawl 30 is fully and properly engaged or disengaged with the frame member 14 and thus avoids the situation wherein latching pawl 30 only engages against a small surface area of member 14, resulting in an insecure locking condition.

If the condition arose that latching pawl 30 were to bind on the inner side of the panel in either the locked or unlocked position, for example, if it came into contact with some large object within the panel or against some rough surface of the supporting member, a force could be applied on the outside against indicating knob 52 so as to force the pawl to rotate into the desired position.

The cylindrical design and mating arrangement of the exterior components is such that O-ring seals can be inserted between opposing surfaces to completely seal all .passages through the fastener between the interior and exterior of the panel. As bushing 25 supports the threaded shaft for rotation at lche inner end of the bracket, the shaft will not jam or :bind in the bracket when extra force is applied to the gripping knob in order to tighten the latch or overcome some friction. This fastener only requires a single, relatively small diameter hole in the supporting panel and so is adaptable for relatively limited areas in small panels. In addition, as locking pawl 30 may be positioned at any point along stud 20, this assembly is quite adaptable to panels and supporting members of varying thicknesses and it does not require prior adjust-ment of the parts or different size parts to be useful in these situations. The size of knob 22 may be varied to increase the gripping power Without requiring further changes in the assembly itself. 4

A compression spring may be fitted on shaft -20 between the base 34 of pawl 30 and against the base 5211; of the indicator sleeve 50 Within the recess 52a so that the knob 22 and indicator S2 are pressed more firmly into contact. This construction insures that, under normal conditions, indicator knob 52 and pawl 30 will turn whenknob 22 is turned.

Although this invention has been disclosed with reference to specific forms and embodiments thereof, it Will be appreciated that a great number of variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention. For example, parts may be reversed, equiv- -alent elements may be substituted for those specifically disclosed, and certain features of the invention may be used independently of other features, all without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A fastener for locking a perimetrically lapping panel against the outer surface of a wall, said fastener comprismg a generally cylindrical housing bracket having means for attachment to a panel through a hole therein, the main portion of said bracket being located on the inside of the panel and having an axially directed recess located along a portion of its surface,

an indicator sleeve positioned within and concentric to the bracket for movement independently thereof, said sleeve having an indicator knob located on the outer side of the panel and an axial directed guide slot on the inner side of the panel similar in length but of smaller arc than that of the bracket,

a threaded shaft mounted for rotation within the bracket and sleeve, said shaft having hand gripping means located on the outer side of the panel,

a locking pawl for engaging the inner `surface of the wall having an internally threaded base mouted on the threaded shaft on the inner side of the panel for axial movement thereon, said pawl extending through the recess in the bracket and the guide slot in the sleeve so that the radial location of the pawl is controlled by the indicator sleeve knob on the outside of the panel and the pawl is moved axially to tighten or loosen against the inner surface of the wall by rotation of the shaft gripping means, and a bushing mounted on the inne-r end of said -shaft to prevent binding contact between the inner end of said housing bracket and said locking pawl.

2. The fastener as -deiined in claim 1 wherein the arc of the indicator sleeve guide slot is only slightly greater than the width of the pawl at a location adjacent the threaded base.

3. The fastener as defined in claim 1 wherein the threaded shaft is supported on the inside of the panel by the bushing in the bracket and a spring is mounted between a retaining ring on the shaft and the end of the housing bracket so as to press the shaft gripping means into contact with the indicator sleeve and hence the sleeve into Contact with the housing bracket.

4. The fastener as defined in claim 1 wherein the housing bracket is provided with means for attaching it to the panel comprising a threaded cylindrical portion having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the hole in the panel and having a flange of larger diameter whereby the bracket is inserted from the outside and a nut having an outside diameter greater than said hole and capable of 10 being passed over the bracket from the inside and threaded on the threaded portion to lock the surface of the panel adjacent the hole between the nut and the flange.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Ridgway.

Krantz et al. 292-256.75

Williams 292-212 Koch et al. 292-212 X Barry et al. 292-256 Dellith 292-212 EDWARD C. ALLEN, Primary Examiner.

RICHARD E. MOORE, Examiner. 

1. A FASTENER FOR LOCKING A PERIMETRICALLY LAPPING PANEL AGAINST THE OUTER SURFACE OF A WALL, SAID FASTENER COMPRISING A GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL HOUSING BRACKET HAVING MEANS FOR ATTACHMENT TO A PANEL THROUGH A HOLE THEREIN, THE MAIN PORTION OF SAID BRACKET BEING LOCATED ON THE INSIDE OF THE PANEL AND HAVING AN AXIALLY DIRECTED RECESS LOCATED ALONG A PORTION OF ITS SURFACE, AN INDICATOR SLEEVE POSITIONED WITHIN AND CONCENTRIC TO THE BRACKET FOR MOVEMENT INDEPENDENTLY THEREOF, SAID SLEEVE HAVING AN INDICATOR KNOB LOCATED ON THE OUTER SIDE OF THE PANEL AND AN AXIAL DIRECTED GUIDE SLOT ON THE INNER SIDE OF THE PANEL SIMILAR IN LENGTH BUT OF SMALLER ARC THAN THAT OF THE BRACKET, A THREADED SHAFT MOUNTED FOR ROTATION WITHIN THE BRACKET AND SLEEVE, SAID SHAFT HAVING HAND GRIPPING MEANS LOCATED ON THE OUTER SIDE OF THE PANEL, A LOCKING PAWL FOR ENGAGING THE INNER SURFACE OF THE WALL HAVING AN INTERNALLY THREADED BASE MOUNTED ON THE THREADED SHAFT ON THE INNER SIDE OF THE PANEL FOR AXIAL MOVEMENT THEREON, SAID PAWL EXTENDING THROUGH THE RECESS IN THE BRACKET AND THE GUIDE SLOT IN THE SLEEVE SO THAT THE RADIAL LOCATION OF THE PAWL IS CONTROLLED BY THE INDICATOR SLEEVE KNOB ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE PANEL AND THE PAWL IS MOVED AXIALLY TO TIGHTEN OR LOOSEN AGAINST THE INNER SURFACE OF THE WALL BY ROTATION OF THE SHAFT GRIPPING MEANS, AND A BUSHING MOUNTED ON THE INNER END OF SAID SHAFT TO PREVENT BINDING CONTACT BETWEEN THE INNER END OF SAID HOUSING BRACKET AND SAID LOCKING PAWL. 